Eastbound At Last - September 16 - 27, 2026

We usually try to get "down east" a couple of times each year. This year the May/June trip was sidetracked by the BCCC Specialty being moved up to June instead of August/September and a fence at home that needed changing.

We were even slow getting underway since we had a week planned at Farran Park with our friends Jane & Michel from NB.

After getting home, kicking out some excess items from the Roadtrek and attending our first Rally Obedience classes of the season, we hit the road pointed east. As usual, trip planning was serendipity driven. Overall, a good trip with mostly good weather though there were a few events toward the end of the trip that added some "story value".

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Contents

Day 1 - Wednesday, September 16, 2026 - Heading to St. Basile, NB

Standard Day 1 heading east. We landed at Camping St Basile about 5 PM. The restaurant was closed but Kassandra made up some takeout fish and chips since several campers were interested.

The Numbers For Today			Click Map For Larger Version
Distance:	592 KM
Time On Road:	6:42
📸Click for pictures from Day 1

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Day 2 - Thursday, September 17, 2026 - Moving On to Sussex, NB

Today we decided to make our way to Sussex where we set up camp at Sussex KOA Journey. Sussex is a great stop for practical shopping. The Gateway Mall is handy to the highway and has all the important stores. Sussex is also home to Picadilly Coffee Roasters. We made a stop on the way in to be sure we had lots of good coarse ground coffee for our French press.

The Numbers For Today			Click Map For Larger Version
Distance:	392.0 KM
Time On Road:	4:44
📸Click for pictures from Day 2

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Day 3 - Friday, September 18, 2026 - Onward to NS

Looking at Rod's Brother's schedule it seemed that arriving Saturday afternoon would work well and noting sushi days at Dockside Restaurant & Bar in Digby so we decided to head to Halifax West KOA.

Since the forecast was a bit rainy, we decided to take our time and go by way of Alma, NB passing through Fundy National Park. We were hoping to get some lobster rolls at Alma Lobster Shop or Collin's Lobster Shop but both were several hours from opening so we settled for a good breakfast at Alma Lobster Shop Muddy Rudder Bar & Grill.

We continued along 114 past Hopewell Rocks and the Train Museum the on into Nova Scotia. We made a brief stop at the NS Welcome Center eventually getting to Halifax West KOA at about 3:20 PM.

The Numbers For Today			Click Map For Larger Version
Distance:	408.2 KM
Time On Road:	5:04
😞No pictures for Day 3

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Day 4 - Saturday, September 19, 2026 - South Shore By Way of Digby

After a breakfast at camp, we packed up and set out for Digby by 10:00. We got to Digby Pier Lighthouse" for about noon. After walking the dogs a bit we made our way to Dockside Restaurant & Bar.

W target=_blank> e ordered some bacon-wrapped scallops and a Digby Roll and a Crab Roll from the Sushi Menu Great as always!

Next we headed over to Carla's Seafood. Being the end of the week, fresh pickings were lean but we picked up a couple of things from the freezer.

Next we headed over to the South Shore arriving a Rod's brother's place about 4 PM. We joined them and their neighbours for dinner at Dear Emma, pizza & wine bar. We indulged in some pizza and wine then dropped back to the neighbour's for a visit.

The Numbers For Today			Click Map For Larger Version
Distance:	752.3 KM
Time On Road:	9:20
📸Click for pictures from Day 4

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Day 5 - Sunday, September 20, 2026 - Hanging Around Lunenburg County

We started the day by borrowing one of the cars and heading into Lunenburg for Lillian to do some shopping. We got back to "The Lighthouse" by 1:30 PM after which headed over to Bridgewater to visit Charlene's mom Joyce. We started by a walk at Miller Point Peace Park the heading back Chez Joyce for a good chat. A trip to the South Shore is not complete without a visit with Joyce.

Back at camp, Daniel grilled some lamb burgers for a good feed.

The Numbers For Today			Click Map For Larger Version
Distance:	Roadtrek Parked
Time On Road:
📸Click for pictures from Day 5

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Day 6 - Monday, September 21, 2026 - Over To Masstown

We spent a leisurely morning including a good breakfast. We set off a bit before noon planning to hang around Truro / Tidal Bore KOA Holiday for a couple of days to groom the dogs and tour the Northumberland Shore.

We got to Masstown Market about 2:20 PM and had a snack at Fish and Chip Boat before shopping around the market. We checked in to the KOA about 3 PM.

The Numbers For Today			Click Map For Larger Version
Distance:	219.1 KM
Time On Road:	2:44
📸Click for pictures from Day 6

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Day 7 - Tuesday, September 22, 2026 - A Day at Camp

Not much of excitement today. Ate well from the galley and groomed both beardies.

The Numbers For Today			Click Map For Larger Version
Distance:	Roadtrek Parked
Time On Road:
😞No pictures for Day 7

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Day 8 - Wednesday, September 23, 2026 - The Great Mud Caper

Today's plan was to hit the Northumberland shore around Pictou and to make our way to Jost Vineyards in time for lunch at Seagrape Café.

We set out around 9:20 AM, filled up with gas the headed for Pictou arriving about 10:40. We took a wander down by Hector Heritage Quay and visited of Lillian's favourite shops. We ended up at Grohmann Factory Outlet & Store. This is always a risky stop since they often have "seconds" at half price. Some of Rod's favourite kitchen knives are from Ghroman's. Now 2 more do.

We next headed along to River John. We decided to pop in to Lismore Sheep Farm Wool Shop. Lillian picked up some knitting items and Rod grabbed a dozen farm eggs. The lady working there mentioned a bad detour past Tatamagouche.

Our next planned stop is Jost Vineyards so we set out along Route 6. As we were warned, just past Tatamagouche we encountered a road closure on #6. It seems Upham Bridge, Bayhead Upham Bridge on Trunk 6 is closed to all traffic until further notice for repairs. We set off on the detour along many poor gravel roads. At some point Rod followed Google Maps instead of the signs. After one dead end and trying again we ended up on a road that should not have been tried and we got stuck in the mud. We were able to get someone from North Shore Towing in Wallace to haul us out. Rather than cover the whole event here, I have made a separate Great Mud Caper page to share the details and, more importantly, the lessons learned.

We DID make it to Jost's in time to have a late lunch which was excellent. The trip back to camp was way less exciting. We made a stop at Masstown Butcher Shop on our way into camp for some treats.

The Numbers For Today			Click Map For Larger Version
Distance:	240.6 KM
Time On Road:	4:13
📸Click for pictures from Day 8

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Day 9 - Thursday, September 24, 2026 - Around The Upper Valley

Since we headed fairly directly to Digby last Saturday, we missed out on some of our usual visits in the "Upper Valley" so we decided to hit them today.

We set out from Truro / Tidal Bore KOA Holiday about 10:15 and took a route across to Windsor rather than loop around Lower Sackville getting to Just Us! Coffee about noon. We then dropped by Gaspereau Valley Fibres where Lillian bought wool and Rod bought eggs.

Our next stop was Hall's Harbour Lobster Pound for a bite of seafood lunch.

We finally made our way to Halifax West KOA where we settled in for the night.

The Numbers For Today			Click Map For Larger Version
Distance:	272.2 KM
Time On Road:	4:02
📸Click for pictures from Day 9

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Day 10 - Friday, September 25, 2026 - Almost Out of NS

Looking at the forecasts we decided to migrate our way back home while it is nice. For today we had a leisurely breakfast and set out for Amherst where we did some shopping before setting up camp at Loch Lomond RV Park.

The Numbers For Today			Click Map For Larger Version
Distance:	215.3 KM
Time On Road:	2:35
📸Click for pictures from Day 10

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Day 11 - Saturday, September 26, 2026 - A Trip Interrupted

Our plan for the day was to make it to Camping St Basile. We left camp just before 10:00 and were just approaching Moncton when the dash lit up with temperature warnings and the steering got stiff. It did not take a "rocket scientist" to figure out that we had lost the "serpentine belt" which powers the water pump, air conditioning and power steering. We managed to get off the Transcanada before we lost all our coolant. We were at a Petro-Canada at 70 Queensway Dr, Moncton, NB E1G 2L3.

Again, good luck was with. The young lady at the convenience store tied to Petro-Canada knew of a friend who was a mechanic. Since this was Saturday and most dealers and such would be closed, we were delight when he agreed to check if he could help. It turns out he had the tools and talent and agreed to take the challenge.

He managed to get the scraps of the old belt out the drove me to a NAPA Auto Parts where we bought a new belt and some coolant. A friend joined him and they managed to get the new belt on and the van back together.

Since we were right by Camper’s City RV Park where we had stayed in the past, we checked in there then, after giving the dogs a run, we went to Skipper Jack's Maritime Restaurant for the best lobster roll of the trip.

The Numbers For Today			Click Map For Larger Version
Distance:	77.1 KM
Time On Road:	1:30
📸Click for pictures from Day 11

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Day 12 - Sunday, September 27, 2026 - A Long Run Home

Not much to say about today except that it was good driving. We hit the road about 8:15. When we got near St Basile where we would normally stop it was about noon EDT. We were well rested and driving was good so we headed on toward Quebec City. We made Quebec in good time so rolled on toward home. We got there just after 6 PM.

The Numbers For Today			Click Map For Larger Version
Distance:	1008.9 KM
Time On Road:	10:45
😞No pictures for Day 12

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The Numbers For The Trip